5 Places To See In Mexico

Located in such close proximity to the U.S. and the Caribbean, Mexico can occasionally be overlooked as a travel destination. But if you’re interested in seeing more of the world, you might want to put it on your list. Mexico is a country with a deep history, rich culture, and lots of beautiful attractions, and it makes a fine stop on any tour of the Americas. So, let’s get into it a little bit! Here are my picks for five specific places you have to see if you make it to Mexico.

Marieta Islands

Mexico has some truly incredible coastal destinations, but we’re actually moving off the coast entirely with our first suggestion. The Marieta Islands, just west of the common vacation getaway of Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast, are commonly recommended as having some of the country’s very best beaches. Specifically, we’d recommend you seek out Playa del Armor, which one travel site describes as looking like something out of a fantasy movie. It’s actually a place you may well have seen photographs of without realizing it. Basically, Playa del Amor is a golden beach within a cave, which gets sunlight because its roof has a giant hole in it. Many believe the hole was actually caused by a bomb long ago when the Mexican military was testing weapons on the island – but whatever the case, the result now is one of the most unique beaches you’ll find in the world.

San Miguel de Allende

If you’ve looked into Caribbean travel before you know that many of the islands that make up the region are famous for their colonial towns. These are places that were colonized by European explorers hundreds of years ago, and often their capital cities still have “Old Town” areas that are mostly preserved from that time. Mexico is of course not a Caribbean island, but San Miguel de Allende is perhaps its most similar attraction. It’s an old Spanish colonial town in the Mexican highlands, full of striking baroque architecture and marked in particular by a towering, neo-gothic church called Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.

Tulum

Tulum, in a way, combines the best aspects of Mexico that most tourists want to see. Which is to say, hints of ancient culture and beautiful beaches. A located on the Caribbean coast, on the Yucatan peninsula and close to the popular vacation island of Cozumel. The beaches are pristine, with white sands, often-gentle surfs, and transparent turquoise waters typical of the most famous Caribbean islands. But the main attraction is El Castillo, a Mayan ruin that looks the part of a fortress overlooking the coastline. (And at one point in history perhaps welcoming Spanish settlers from across the ocean).

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza has become perhaps the most enduring symbol of the history of native people in Mexico. It represents the past of the country in countless projects, sometimes overtly and sometimes less so. For instance, games and rituals from the city of Chichen Itza (and the Mayan people) have been depicted in films. Films like Apocalypto and The Road To El Dorado. More directly, players could build it as a wonder in Civilization computer games, and it serves as a backdrop for the popular internet game Gonzo’s Quest, which prides itself on creating a better sense of engagement largely through setting pieces like this.

As is the case with the Egyptian pyramids. However, no amount of representation in fiction or pop culture does the area justice. This is an astonishingly well-preserved place that gives you a true sense of how the Mayans lived. And the central attraction – another “El Castillo,” essentially a M
ayan pyramid built in tiers – is unforgettable.

Mexico City

It may not be the most creative choice, but this list would be incomplete without mention of Mexico’s capital. This city has changed a lot throughout history, it’s effectively built on top of what was once the Aztec capital. Of Tenochtitlan – one of the great cities of the ancient world, the Aztecs built over a network of lakes. Which the conquering Spanish ultimately drained in favor of different kind of construction. But now, several hundred years later, Mexico City is a thriving blend of modern and ancient culture. It’s full of monuments, cultural exhibitions, and plenty of things to do, such that it makes for a crucial stop on any broader tour of the country.

This post makes us a bit sad as we were due to go toe Mexico last March but unfortunately my mummy had a collapsed lung and had to be hospitalised. Its a great destination and we hope to have the opportunity to visit again x

I’ve recently gone to Mexico but none of the areas, I was in Cozumel and we went to the Mayan Ruins! It was so much fun and I loved learning the history of the country. Tulum looks beautiful place to visit, it also sounds like I was super CLOSE to there

I have actually never been to Mexico but your post is making me want to break out my passport and go! I would love to visit Tulum and Mexico City. The architecture looks amazing in Mexico City and I would also love to sneak in a trip to some ruins while I’m there!

We have a close friend who teaches at an International school in `Mexico and we’ve been wanting to visit. Never heard of Mariette islands, but it looks so beautiful. Will have to ask him if he’s familiar with it. Hopefully, we’ll manage to visit our friend soon. Fingers crossed 🙂 x

Chichen Itza is one of those places you must see before you die. It looks simply amazing, so much rich history there. Mexico is certainly a place I would visit, I think the architecture is stunning too

CHICHEN ITZA is one of the most iconic places in Mexico’s history. I studied the ancient world as part of my History Degree and the history of Mexico from the Maya’s to the Aztecs was my most favourite module.

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Hi, I am Miranda-Anosa, a 30+ Project Manager in Pharma and Lifestyle Blogger located in Oxfordshire. I am a Travel Addict and I enjoy flying off abroad or enjoying a staycation close to home. If I am not travelling, I am busy checking out local eateries and sampling the best dishes. And on the off chance I have eaten too much, I then shift my focus on trying to look presentable in simple, affordable outfits.